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Dead Animal Disposal Options in Indiana

NOTE: These rules do NOT apply to small animal species, such as fish, reptiles, dogs, cats and small game. Wildlife, i.e., creatures not under someone's care, as well as dead livestock being transported by the owner to a diagnostic facility are also exempt from this rule.

The responsibility of owning animals does not end when an animal dies. In Indiana, state law requires an animal owner to dispose properly of a carcass within 24 hours of learning of an animal's death.

The list of approved disposal methods is overseen by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) as a matter of health and safety.

Rendering

A common option is removing carcasses to an approved disposal plant. Rendering can be a convenient, clean and waste-free solution that ultimately recycles the remains into other products. The renderer generally provides on-farm pick-up for a fee. Each company determines which species they will accept and geographic locations they will serve.

Burial

Burial is another authorized means of disposal. By law, the entire carcass must be buried at least 4 feet below the natural surface of the ground. All body parts must lie under 4 feet of earth, not including other types of covering material (such as mulch). Livestock owners should take care to avoid burying remains near waterways, such as ponds and streams.

Producers may also consider discarding dead animals at a local landfill. Landfill disposal qualifies as burial under BOAH rules. Each landfill operator decides what material it will accept.

A city or town may have additional ordinances to regulate or prohibit burial within the city or town limits. Local authorities should be consulted to learn about local ordinances.

Incineration

"Thorough and complete incineration" of the carcass is another option for animal owners. Incineration can be convenient for those with access to the necessary equipment. A barrel or open burn pile is illegal under the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) rules. Producers choosing to install an on-farm incinerator should contact IDEM's Air Division to determine if a permit is required. Any animal matter remaining after incineration must be buried or otherwise discarded according to another approved disposal method.

Composting

On-farm composting is an option for livestock owners. By following a proven "recipe," an established on-farm composter can produce nutrient-rich organic matter suitable for field application in a few months. Dry organic material, like sawdust, is layered with animal remains to generate heat to speed decomposition. Carcasses are completely composted when no visible pieces of soft tissue remain. Large bones, such as a full-size skull or femur from adult livestock, should be removed and/or crushed prior to land application.

State law requires that domestic animals be kept from accessing the compost pile. Rodents and other wild animals are to be controlled so they do not disrupt the system or create a health hazard to humans or animals. This can be accomplished by surrounding the pile with a fence, placing it in a building, by covering the pile, or using an in-vessel composting system.

Run-on and leachate runoff must be prevented or controlled. The material must be thoroughly and completely composted. NOTE: Under IDEM rules, confined feeding livestock facilities composting carcasses must include the compost facility in their permit application.

Producers also have the option to transport carcasses to a common compost pile. Persons wanting to operate a communal compost pile, that accepts carcasses from outside sources, must obtain a Disposal Plant Permit from BOAH.

Anaerobic and Chemical Digestion

Beginning in 2011, digestion is another convenient method of disposal similar to composting. The procedure must be conducted in accordance with state environmental laws and the system must not create a health hazard to humans or animals. Businesses accepting carcasses from outside sources must obtain a Disposal Plant Permit from BOAH.

Exotic Animal Feeding

Exotic animal owners continue to seek out sources of livestock carcasses to feed large cats and other unusual species, which is now permitted under the carcass disposal rules. Livestock producers should ask if the exotic owner is registered with the state before allowing a pick up of dead stock. Additionally, producers transporting animal carcasses must keep records of where their carcasses are taken.

Individuals accepting carcasses for feeding must keep records of all the animals they receive and from whom. A description and date of each carcass fed must also be recorded. Animal carcasses must be completely disposed of within 72 hours of arriving at the premise, or be refrigerated or frozen for long-term storage.

Any person transporting animal carcasses must cover or contain the remains from public view, and the carcass must be transported in a manner that does not allow fluids to leak on public roads.